The San Diego Padres' ongoing quest for a World Series (or at least a playoff title). "You know that many runners enter a race, but only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Glimpse of the Future

Last night’s game was like deja vu, except forwards. I think we saw a glimpse of the future, an echo of what is to come.

GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE #1

Mat Latos made his fourth start as a Padre this season, and he was amazing. This guy has been called the next Jake Peavy in the Padres’ organization, and he’s one of the most prized pitching prospects we have. I wouldn’t say he’s a Jake Peavy yet, but he’s been very good.

Last night he threw seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out three. He did struggle early, loading the bases with no outs in the first, but he only allowed one run in that inning and one in the second. He kept the Braves down the rest of the way. It was great!

The Padres are probably going to shut down Mat in a month or so because he threw a ton of innings in the minors this year, and he’s been going seven a lot up here too. Gotta watch out for that arm of the future, you know🙂

GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE #2

Will Venable has really been heating up in the last week or so. Last night, he had three hits and drove in a run. Plus, he had a great sliding grab in right field.

Will was first called up to the majors in September last year, and he did very well. I think he came up this year when Brian Giles went on the DL. Now that we’ve got our outfield slimmed down, I think these guys are getting the playing time they need. Last night, Chase Headley was in left, Tony Gwynn was in center, and Venable was in right. And it worked!

I’d say that the biggest part of Will’s game is his defense. I watched a game once from the Beach out in the outfield, and I watched him make two spectacular plays to rob the hitters. It was so cool!! He’s good out there.

GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE #3

Kyle Blanks has been so hot in the last week! Last night, he hit his sixth homer of the year to tie the game at two in the second. This guy had been tearing it up in the minors, so we knew he could hit. It took a while for him to get in a groove, but now that’s he’s made it, it’s so much fun to watch this big boy blast those balls out of here.

Blanks started playing the outfield after Spring Training, so he had even less time than Chase did last year to learn the outfield. Kyle has been decent out there. He hasn’t embarrassed himself, at least. But he has been able to play his natural position, first base, to give Adrian a break.

It’s going to be interesting to see how the Padres play Kyle. I think they would like him to be in his natural position eventually, but we’re holding onto Adrian for now. Hopefully they will be able to work that out without getting rid of another fan favorite.

GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE #4

I’ve talked about Everth Cabrera before, but I just love this guy. He’s such an amazing player already, but he’s still learning. He’s still growing. He’s still improving!

This is Everth’s first season above Single-A. He was definitely ready for the Majors. Last night he had a hit in the seventh. He then stole second AND third base. Oscar Salazar drove him in with a single to give us an insurance run. What a player!! I love this guy. He’s going to be sooo great in the future!!

It was a great game. We got a run each in the first, second, and third innings. The bullpen was excellent. Mike Adams was ridiculously sharp. Wow. Did you know that his ERA is 0.86 right now? WOW!!!

Heath Bell was really great too. He went 1-2-3 with two strikeouts. The last out was a great play by Kouz, and we won the game 4-2!!

It’s always good to get the first game of the series, and the Padres played really well to get it. I am sooo proud of them! These young guys have been so amazing. It’s really exciting!

Tonight Tim Stauffer is pitching against Javier Vasquez. I think we can do it! These guys have confidence. I think that’s something that had been missing in the past few months.

If I remember correctly, Cabrera played during that game we all went to. And I know watching him on TV, he’s always wowed me. So I’m glad things are working out with him. Since it looks like you guys are rebuilding, I’m excited to see how things will work out for you in the future! Especially with the four guys you mentioned, Clayton Richard, and Aaron Poreda. (I have a huuuuuge soft spot for Clayton and Aaron…they’re wonderful.)
Jenhttp://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com

its fun isnt it? seeing the young guns up giving it a go. with the trades the Pirates and Padres have made they set themselves up nicely for the future. i am sorry however, i’ve never heard of any of those 4 players

I saw Kyle Blanks for the first time in Spring Training, and his size alone left me in awe. I was in Washington to see the Padres face the Nationals two Sunday’s ago, and with the Padres down by 1 with 2 outs in the 9th, Kyle Blanks hit a massive homerun to tie it, it was incredible, I can’t even believe his power, especially live and in person

It was a very nice win last night! All of our young guys are doing an excellent job for the team right now. Especially Everth. I love that guy!🙂 Talk about Kyle Blanks and Will Venable. WOW. Baseballs are flying out of the park thanks to both of them! By the way, congrats on being on the headline at mlb.com (bottom left corner)http://hyunyoung.mlblogs.com

It sounds like you guys have the makings of the Rays-West Coast Edition going on there. Solid pitching, good defense, nice young athleticism. I think you’re going to really love these guys in 2010.http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com

I love seeing good things coming in the future, even though there might be no way that they’ll come to fruition now. Kind of like the 2007 Astros. Jeez.
I keep seeing Will Venable having Web Gems.
♥ Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com

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